A Lagos-based activist, Hassan Soweto, has begun weeks of physiotherapy after an MRI scan reportedly revealed significant spinal injury following what he describes as a “brutal assault” by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, and officers under his command.
Soweto disclosed in a chat that medical examinations confirmed damage to his lower spine, allegedly sustained during his arrest at a protest march to the Lagos State House of Assembly on January 28, 2026.
The protest was organised to demand an end to demolition, forced evictions and alleged land-grabbing in Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode Onirin, Ajegunle and other low-income communities across Lagos.
According to the activist, police officers fired tear gas into a crowd of peaceful demonstrators and carried out arrests during the march.
He alleged that at least two protesters were hospitalised at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, following the confrontation.
Police authorities have not publicly responded to the specific allegations of assault as of press time.
Soweto and fellow activist Dele Frank were subsequently charged to court on allegations including conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace and “singing abusive songs against the police and the Lagos State government.”
Despite his injuries, Soweto struck a defiant tone, stating that the physiotherapy — which is expected to continue for several weeks — is aimed at restoring his health so he can “continue to lead the struggle from the front.”
“My doctors are hopeful of full recovery,” he said, expressing gratitude to civil society organisations, trade unions, socialist groups, human rights bodies and members of the public who have shown solidarity since the incident.
The January 28 protest, however, appears to have had immediate political consequences.
According to Soweto, the Lagos State Government has temporarily halted demolition activities in Makoko and commenced negotiations with community representatives over compensation, rebuilding and resettlement. Community leaders in Makoko have yet to independently confirm the full scope of the negotiations, but residents have welcomed the pause in demolitions.
The activist warned that Makoko is not the only community under threat, alleging similar pressures in Bariga, Oworonshoki, Owode-Onirin and Ajegunle.
He called for a joint public hearing by the Lagos State House of Assembly to address cases of alleged illegal demolition and forced evictions across the state.
“Anything short of this,” he said, “would mean another round of protest.”
Framing the struggle in stark terms, Soweto declared: “A megacity cannot be built on the bones and blood of the poor.”
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